LEARNING DAILY

Micah 5:2, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be ruler of Israel, whose goings forth are from old, from everlasting.”

“O little town of Bethlehem…” Bethlehem is most known for the Lord Jesus Christ being born there. We know that a census was being taken and that “Joseph being of the house and lineage of David” (Luke 2:4) needed to go to Bethlehem to be counted. “The census was being taken for the purpose of taxation and conscription” (David Jeremiah Study Bible); it was also done so that Micah’s prophecy above would be fulfilled.

Bethlehem was known as the City of David; the obvious reason is David lived there with his father Jesse (1 Samuel 16:1). It was here that the prophet Samuel was shown by God that David was His chosen kin. David was anointed as king by Samuel at that time. David was a shepherd boy at this time; he was with the sheep when Samuel called for him to come to his father’s house. The land where he attended the sheep, according to one account I read, were declared to be holy grounds because sheep raised here were raised to be sacrificed in the temple. It is easier to understand the statement made by John the Baptist when he saw Jesus coming to him to be baptized, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

Bethlehem means “house of bread” because of the bountiful fields, orchards, and vineyards. The town was in an area that had plenty of rainfall and a mild climate. It is interesting that the Lord Jesus would later declare, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). Just as bread was essential to the life of those in and around Bethlehem, Jesus is stating He is essential to life eternal. Was it coincidental that God chose this little town for His son to be born in the flesh? No!

My wife and I have been to the place traditionally thought to be where the Lord Jesus was born. When we were able to see it, I really do not know if it was originally a cave, a stable, or a room off the main house of the “inn”. It seemed pretty small and may have been a cave where animals were kept. It would have been interesting to see without the Church of the Nativity that is built over the sight and without all the people crowding to see it.

The Lord Jesus Christ came to the little town of Bethlehem as a baby. He was wrapped in cloths that were used to protect lambs from injury and laid in a trough used to feed animals. He came into this world in very humble beginnings. That was the first time as He came to save mankind from sin and death. Take time to read Revelation 19:11-21. He is going to come again, but not as a humble baby. He is coming as the “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS”. He is coming with power and authority - every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord. He is coming as King, the sovereign Ruler of earth! The world was not ready for the baby born in Betlehem. His people did not recognize Him. Believers must be anticipating, ready, and watching for His Second Coming!  It could very well be at any time!